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Go, Stand and Speak

The night Jesus was apprehended by the High Priest’s guards, Simon Peter took his sword and cut off the ear of one of those arresting Jesus. In his mind, I am quite sure Peter thought he was defending his Master and saving His life. Instead, Jesus rebuked Peter, healed the guard by restoring the ear and made this profound statement in Matthew 26:52:

Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”

In the Old Testament the battle was physical against physical enemies possessing physical weapons of warfare. In the Old Testament, God’s people fought literal battles with an enemy which could be seen and heard and who could physically inflict injury or death by way of a sword. In the Old Testament, the enemy was represented by nations who rejected God’s Word and desired to eliminate God’s people from off the earth.

In the New Testament the battle is spiritual against principalities, powers and spiritual wickedness from on high. The battle now is with an unseen enemy who manifests himself through television, the internet, books and music. No longer can a physical sword defeat the enemy nor can his physical sword defeat God’s people. The enemy now is represented by his influence on masses of people deceived into believing the lie is true and the truth is a lie.

Our battle today is not against physical enemies who are attempting to apprehend our Lord Jesus Christ and put Him on trial. Our battle is against the overwhelming influence of evil which has permeated our society and twisted the truth into carefully constructed lies. Unlike in the Old Testament, we do not physically fight the enemy but rather we GO, STAND and SPEAK the Gospel of the Good News of Jesus Christ and in the process, put the forces of the enemy to flight.

But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”

2 Corinthians 4:1, 2

We have one great responsibility in this life as believers and that is to be the literal manifestation of the truth. Everything in our lives should manifest the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Our words and deeds should renounce the hidden things of shame. Our lifestyles should manifest the purity of the Christ within. We NEVER walk in craftiness nor do we ever deliberately handle the Word of God deceitfully. Our walk should literally be the manifestation of the truth and thus when people look at us, the truth will speak to their conscience.

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

2 Corinthians 4:3

Those who refuse to see, hear and believe the truth our lives manifest are those whose minds have been blinded by the god of this age. Obviously, everything the enemy does is intended to keep people from being able to see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. The enemy has systematically worked to deceive the masses through the images and words constantly flooding people’s minds through the various media he is the god of.

All any of us can do is GO where God asks us to GO, STAND on the integrity and accuracy of God’s Word and SPEAK the truth in love via our words and our lifestyles. Through this manifestation of the truth, we fulfill Jesus command to so let your light shine”. Wherever we GO, we should strive to STAND on what we know is the truth and SPEAK words which are seasoned with salt meaning they are true.

The battle today for a believer is whether to obey God or be influenced by the lies of the enemy. When the enemy says STOP, QUIT and SHUT UP; we must rally the forces of our mind and put on the whole armor of God so as to resist the enemy and stand against his wiles. The enemy does everything in his power to convince the believer to stop trying to walk and live for God, to quit trying to be some great witness and to no longer speak the truth in love.

I pray we all remember that our job is to manifest the truth and God’s job is to give the increase. I pray we all maintain the inner strength to never stop speaking the truth whether anyone believes it or not. I pray we beseech God to put His Word on our lips to speak without fear so those searching for a little light in this dark world will find it though the words we speak and the lives we live.

posted: 06/17/2009 04:11am by blessings2you View: Backlinks, Permalink Total Views: 273 ShortURL: http://christianblog.com/7ba2 Category: Preaching & Teaching	Print This Blog Entry
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Author: blessings2you
Location: Warrenton Missouri USA
Gender: Male
Age: 57
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Blog Comments: 8

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god called me to serve him when i was 16 years old while on a church work trip in new mexico in 1969. in the 40 years since; i attended bible school/leadership training, been ordained to the christian ministry and worked full time for a non-denominational ministry for nearly ten... view full biography

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in 1969 god stepped in and transformed my life as a sixteen year old teenager. after a couple of years of intense emotional ups and downs, i decided i needed a firm foundation in my life that went beyond emotional experiences. it was the decision to become involved with a... view full testimony

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Thank you B2Y for these words of truth. You've put it all in simple and very real terms everyone can identify with. I'm joining you in prayer...

I pray we all remember that our job is to manifest the truth and God's job is to give the increase. I pray we all maintain the inner strength to never stop speaking the truth whether anyone believes it or not. I pray we beseech God to put His Word on our lips to speak without fear so those searching for a little light in this dark world will find it though the words we speak and the lives we live.

Amen!

Posted 06/17/2009 11:51am
Author: doulos

I have to say I had never thought of this incident with Peter as an illustration of how the battle was no longer physical but spiritual battle. Of course, it is as plain as the nose on my face now!

I am joining you and Doulos in that prayer. May we only speak His Word rather than our own and may the world see Christ who dwells within us rather than ourselves!

Blessings!

Posted 06/17/2009 12:17pm
Author: kreynolds

Well, Brother B, to paraphrase Brittany: "Opps, you've done it again." Thankfully!

If I didn't know better, I'd think I read this before my last two blogs... one on the "House of the Rising Sun" and the other (my 100th) on the "Sword of God".[bible]Ephesians 6:17[/bible]The "sword of God" is the Word. In the end, it is the only offensive weapon we have against the evil one. It assures us victory in the end.

But the battle is still to be fought... we must arm ourselves. But not with the swords of man.

Shalom,

Art
Alive (and fighting evil) in The Word

Posted 06/17/2009 01:54pm
Author: aliveintheword

B2Y, I agree with your statement "Our battle is against the overwhelming influence of evil which has permeated our society and twisted the truth into carefully constructed lies."

How we must be watchful to discern the lies which could so easily fill our minds with doubt rather than faith. It is needful to know His Word and quench the lies with the Word.

I too want to join with you to Go, Stand, and Speak - we must go forward - we cannot stand still or we shall be pushed back by the evil tide in the world.

Posted 06/17/2009 06:26pm
Author: ptl2008

I enjoyed this, B2, thanks. Awesome truths.

It's interesting that we are studying this very incident in class this week (at school), and for the first time, I actually now know the name of this man who lost his ear and had it restored by Jesus. It was Malchus, a servant of the high priest. I'm including below some of the information I retrieved in studying this historical event, just because I like sharing things with you and think you will enjoy seeing that once again you and I, my dear brother, are sharing the study of scripture even though we have never met. As your dear Beth said to me not long ago in one of her sweet notes, one fine day, either on this side or the other, we shall sit down and share a bottomless pot of coffee and talk, and talk, and talk ..." lol. I love that idea. Can't wait. In the meantime, here's what I was reading and the reference is included at the bottom:

Only John tells that this man's name was Malchus (John 18:10) and that it was Peter who did the resisting. If John had not told us that it was who it was I think that we could probably have guessed ... who else beside old impetuous Peter? As they began to bind Jesus hands it was more than Peter could stand and he strikes out, likely it was the high priest servant who was leading in this matter. He (Malchus) as a servant of the high priest, was an important official in his own right and someone whom John evidently knew by sight. It is ironic that this last miracle is performed for an enemy who has come to make sure that Jesus is arrested.

John 18:3-11 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. (4) Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?" (5) They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am He." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. (6) Now when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground. (7) Then He asked them again, "Whom are you seeking?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." (8) Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way," (9) that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none." (10) Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. (11) So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?" John's account tells us that Jesus was not at all defenseless.

A part of the miracle on this night was that in a sudden outpouring of his power through the spoken word, his enemies were knocked to the ground (Jn 18:6).

Retrieved 06/18/09 from http://www.fbcvilonia.com/sermons/miracles/malchus.htm

That last bit, about the part of the miracle where He knocked His enemies to the ground by the power of His beautiful words is priceless! As many times as I've heard this story growing up, I never, until now, realized this part happened. Did you? Can you picture that? All these soldiers surrounding Him in anger and with violent intent ... and He speaks the word, by the power of God, and they actually fall down ... fall DOWN, dude. Lol ... WOW. You gotta love that.

And in realizing this now, is it not true then that as we go about our Father's business speaking His word to the world that we have this same power when men oppose us? If we get God in our mouth we, too, it would seem, can knock our enemies on their butts. Yeh, baby. How cool is that?!? Now that there is a sword, brother. (Mona uses her hillbilly accent for this part).

I just love the way God uses various things in our everyday lives to add to and further enlighten us when we are studying a certain thing. Thanks again for this blog. As always, you rock.

Love to blestBeth.

Mona :butterfly:

Posted 06/18/2009 12:15pm
Author: ilovehimso

And you are HOW OLD Mona? Like 20 or so? You continually bring a smile to my face as you let loose and just speak instead of worrying about proper words or the such. I love that, not for everyone, but for YOU.

Thanks for the reminders on Malchus. I think it is really awesome how that is the last miracle done by our Lord while on earth and the healing of the ear was done on one who would play an active role in his crucifixion. How about that for manifesting some big time love of God!

Anyways, thank you Mona for your wonderful insights along with all the others who have contributed.

B2Y

Posted 06/18/2009 03:07pm
Author: blessings2you

Lol ... now I'm blushing.

You know, I'm glad that's something you like about me, Kirk, cuz I have to tell you, tact is not now, nor has it ever been, my forte' ... ehem. But, the funny thing to me is that you realize it's a natural flaw (or blessing?) and that I don't intentionally do that. One of the very few benefits of having lived the "life", I suppose, is that mixed in amongst all the more cultured mannerisms I was taught (while growing up a middle class minister's daughter), remains a certain "relaxed" propensity for telling it like it is. No sugar coat included. While I'm glad it makes you smile, I do wish I were sometimes more aware of it at the moment I am doing it. Yeh ... but what fun would that be?

On the other hand, if it were a bad thing, God would be dealing with me on it, right? I haven't heard anything from Him on the subject, yet. I do know that He took great delight in cleaning up the horrible, horrible potty mouth I once had. That's a funny story all in itself. I prayed on it when I decided I wanted to change my life, and thought it would be a struggle, but all the sudden, one day, I just realized I didn't really cuss at all anymore. He just took it from me. I didn't even have to try, really!

Now, when I say something slightly improper by this world's "classy" standards, but that is making a tremendous point for Him ... simply with my God-given flavor added, once in a while He shakes His head at me and grins, but under His breath I hear Him say, "You go, girl."

Lol ... thanks dearest brother. Love to the Beth.

Mona

Posted 06/18/2009 04:01pm
Author: ilovehimso

Great Blog B2Y...and YOU GO GIRL Mona... lol. May we all keep on telling the truth of God's word and doing what we know is right in your sight oh Lord. love AJ

Posted 06/19/2009 02:11pm
Author: annajones

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